Netball
Samantha Sonogan 7y

Vixens overrun Firebirds in Super Netball

Netball

The Melbourne Vixens have extended their unbeaten streak in Super Netball to eight games with an 11-goal win over the Queensland Firebirds at Hisense Arena on Saturday night.

The 66-55 result lifts the Vixens to 19 points and three clear of the second-placed Giants, who have a game to play.

The Vixens led from start to finish in a complete performance as the fifth-placed Firebirds remain adrift of a finals spot, with three rounds remaining.

In her 50th game, Vixens shooter Mwai Kumwenda top scored with 43 goal from 47 attempts, while Tegan Philip made numerous shots well out from the post in her 23 goals.

The home side's defence proved just as damaging, with Emily Mannix and Jo Weston containing the Firebird's towering shooter Romelda Aiken to 42 goals from 53 attempts.

With their season on the line, the Firebirds came to disrupt the Vixens' game and early on they looked to shut down the centre pass and apply fierce defence throughout the court.

The Vixens didn't have it all their own way in a highly physical encounter but adapted well and went to the first break four-goals to the good.

Firebirds defender Gretel Tippet's shove in the back of Vixens defender Weston deep in the second quarter sent her opponent to the floor and showed how much each goal meant as the hosts extended their lead to nine goal at halftime.

Tensions were high, yet the cool shooting duo of Kumwenda and Philip continued and built an advantage that stretched out to 14 goals at the final break.

The Firebirds didn't give up though and fought back to win the final quarter.

Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said there was still room for improvement from her top-of-table team.

"That was hard work tonight, it really was, as it always is against the Firebirds," McKinnis said.

"It was 11 (goals) in the end but we had to work all the way in that one.

"It was really (physical) and that's where it is hard work.

"Both sides were working hard and physically contesting and that's where it's hard to maintain intensity, and the girls did a really good job.

"But we let it slip in the last quarter, which I'm not happy about."

^ Back to Top ^